Nikon 105 f/1.4 -- Yummy !!!

[TRSmith]

I've been spoiling myself. First with a new D810 and just yesterday, with this 105, 1.4. It's been raining steadily since I received the lens but I had to give it a quick try anyway. My first impressions are that it lives up to the hype. Although, shooting wide open at 1.4 is not for the faint of heart. You almost have to practice the breathing techniques of a sniper since the field of focus is so narrow.

The good news is, the focussed area is very sharp and the OOF areas are smooth as silk. I used to own the 75 Summilux 1.4 and I would put this lens up to it or (perhaps) beyond it in terms of performance, without the whole rangefinder thing.

The price isn't the only hefty thing though. The lens is a chunk. I'm very pleased with it and look forward to the opportunity to try and catch an eyelash on a live human at some point. Until then, it's silly tests like the one attached.

 

[Steen]

for enquiring minds


a closer look

https://www.lensrentals.com/blog/2016/12/taking-apart-the-new-nikon-105mm-f1-4e-ed-af-s/

 

[Jack]

Re: for enquiring minds

a closer look

https://www.lensrentals.com/blog/2016/12/taking-apart-the-new-nikon-105mm-f1-4e-ed-af-s/

Why?

...

...

...

Because we could!

:ROTFL::ROTFL::ROTFL:

 

[Swissblad]

Anybody else taken the plunge on this lens.........tempted....but will I use it?

 

[Jack]

Anybody else taken the plunge on this lens.........tempted....but will I use it?

It certainly looks stellar. But for me, I already own the 85/1.4 and 105/2 DC. Other salient comment is DOF is already so thin on both of the above, that photographing people wide open becomes a workout just to not sway your body even the tiniest bit between focus and capture -- if you do, your subjects eyes are oof End of day, I shoot the 85 wide open only very occasionally, even for shallow DOF portraits, where most often I'm at f2.8 or f4 -- and as a result have often thought I'd be much better off with the lighter and more compact 1.8 version of the lens. I know it would be welcome in the bag more often than the beast is :lecture: But since I already own the beast I keep it... (Honestly, I think I've just talked myself into eating a trade-out! Anybody want to swap me a 1.8G plus some cash for my 1.4G? :thumbs The 105DC, I almost never go more open than f4. I seriously doubt I'd use the new 105 at f1.4, and in fact, the only real use I can think of for me would be tripod-mounted table-top special effect -- and for that I have the 85 PC-E which is a far more versatile choice for shallow DOF studio work.

I feel the only logical reason to buy this lens, is if you specifically plan to shoot it wide open all the time -- which of course requires a mindset to look specifically for compositions that will work with it wide open. And from my armchair, that calculates out to be a very limited need -- and frankly not even much of a want...

 

[Steen]

New Nikon 105 f/1.4 soon. Yummy !!!

(...) Honestly, I think I've just talked myself into eating a trade-out! Anybody want to swap me a 1.8G plus some cash for my 1.4G ? (...)

:thumbup: yup, if you know somebody going to Europe in a not too distant future, I'm in for a trade :angel:
On the other hand, Jack, I honestly cannot recommend that you do it.

I had the 85mm f/1.4 G until a burglar thought he should help me getting rid of it
Since then I have been fine with the f/1.8 version, but I'm still not fully convinced it's on par with its half a stop faster sibling, despite some say so.

The AF-S Nikkor 85mm f/1.4 G remains the most impressive optic I've ever owned with regards to both sharpness and out-of-focus rendering, including half a score of Leica, Zeiss and Voigtländer lenses.
Maybe I just had an exceptionally good sample of the 85mm f/1.4 G.

 

[Jorgen Udvang]

:thumbup: yup, if you know somebody going to Europe in a not too distant future, I'm in for a trade :angel:
On the other hand, Jack, I honestly cannot recommend that you do it.

I had the 85mm f/1.4 G until a burglar thought he should help me getting rid of it
Since then I have been fine with the f/1.8 version, but I'm still not fully convinced it's on par with its half a stop faster sibling, despite some say so.

The AF-S Nikkor 85mm f/1.4 G remains the most impressive optic I've ever owned with regards to both sharpness and out-of-focus rendering, including half a score of Leica, Zeiss and Voigtländer lenses.
Maybe I just had an exceptionally good sample of the 85mm f/1.4 G.

+1 to what Steen said! It's not only about that half stop and some MTF curves, and you know it Jack. Some lenses simply make the photograph look better, and there's no way photozones or dpr or dxo can tell you that. It's not the numbers, it's the image.

 

[TRSmith]

Jack's logic seems reasonable to me. I think it's fair to say that we are all very fortunate to have the opportunity to make decisions about lenses and gear of this caliber. However, I don't believe there is one definitive logic-tree that works for everyone. My own decision sprang from my desire to pair my new D810 with a lens that would perform to its level. I started in another thread thinking I might need to replace my 17-35. After a lot of reading and thinking, I settled on the 105 because; A: My 17-35 seemed pretty OK; B: I tend to shoot on the longer end of the focal length spectrum; and C: I was bored by the idea of simply updating my 70-200 to obtain a lens befitting the D810. So I saw this new offering and went for it. Not because I intend to tape the aperture at 1.4, but because it got such high marks for sharpness at all apertures and swoons for the OOF areas.

And, while I am not a rocket surgeon when it comes to lens testing, I am pretty damn giddy about the way this lens draws. To be fair, some of what I'm seeing might be attributable to the D810 that I'm just getting to know. (About the only thing I wish is that the new 105 was in fact the 200 f2.8. A lens that's about 3 times the price of the 105!)

All of this just as an observation that everyone gets to choose. It's not a "right" or "wrong" thing.

 

[Jack]

TR -- Well said, and I agree 100% :thumbs:

Steen and Jorgen: Actually a little relieved to hear that. The reason I have not jumped on the trade-down sooner is that the 85/1.4 just impresses me so much and I was concerned the 1.8 version would not have the same character. So it's good to know that my impression is borne by others with actual experience -- thank you! :salute:

 

[Swissblad]

Thanks for the helpful comments, gents.

My sentiments parallel those of Jack....and those of TR....go figure.

.... I have the old AF-D 85mm f1.4 - which is a great lens - but switched to the AF-S 85mm f1.8G, due to its smaller size and better AF - it ends up being the lens I use a lot.

I lust for the 105mm f1.4, especially as it is on sale locally ≈ $1800.-

tempting...tempting...but I'll probably give it a pass..... I don't need another expensive and heavy paper weight.....or don't I?

:grin:

 

[Swissblad]

Well... I went along to my LND...and inspected the new 105mm f1.4

what can I say .... it's very nice... will see how log my resolve lasts...... as they say... life is short...enjoy it while you can.

 

[mjr]

Buy it!!!!

 

[JCT]

Well... I went along to my LND...and inspected the new 105mm f1.4

what can I say .... it's very nice... will see how log my resolve lasts...... as they say... life is short...enjoy it while you can.

Just went through the exact same calculus with the same set of lenses. Have a much beloved set of portraits of my family taken with the 85mm F1.4D (one of my "never sell" lenses). Love the 85mm f1.8 as well, especially portability. But recently became intrigued with the new 105 .... have an all too rare family gathering coming up. So literally just last week decided to buy the 105mm F1.4 - as you say, life is short and good glass is forever.

Best,

JT

 

[Swissblad]

Just went through the exact same calculus with the same set of lenses. Have a much beloved set of portraits of my family taken with the 85mm F1.4D (one of my "never sell" lenses). Love the 85mm f1.8 as well, especially portability. But recently became intrigued with the new 105 .... have an all too rare family gathering coming up. So literally just last week decided to buy the 105mm F1.4 - as you say, life is short and good glass is forever.

Best,

JT

Glad to hear of your decision - really look forward to seeing your images. :thumbup:
I'm still on the fence...will see how long for... sale ends tomorrow.:shocked:

 

[Niels_Patrick]

Good morning. Here some thoughts: Is the new Nikon 105 1,4 the replacement for Nikon 85 1.4 and the Zeiss 135 2.0? For portrait work? (I do own both)
Also the new Sigma 85 art would be on my list.

Tons of great lenses showing up. Can they compete with the high resolution of the next sensors?

Looks like I can spend every week 2000€ for photography gear.

Have a great christmas time.

___ www.geisselbrecht.biz

 

[Swissblad]

Well, I took the plunge, pressed the buy button, and ordered one.

Hope to post a few pix over the holidays......

MBH is already convinced that it is one of the sharpest lenses in our arsenal...:angel:

 

[Swissblad]

Well I had the chance to go for a short walk today, and try out the new lens...... the DOF is wafer thin......

Images are SOOC - no mods in PS i.e. saturation, sharpening etc.

I also have not attempted to calibrate the lens/body combination yet - it may be necessary - see small pooch photo - but it could also be my error - will check over the holidays.

All in all, a great lens......do I need it.... probably not.....then again...who cares!

Have a peaceful Christmas, Hunnukah or simple relaxing holiday.

:thumbup:

 

[Swissblad]

A few more pix......

Flare against the sun seems to be a minimum - starbursts are actually quite nice - but this lens isn't really meant for that....

and of course - some bokeh porn....

Sharpness really can't be judged by JPEG compressed for web use....

Now, all is need is Hulyss to provide me with some portrait subjects........:ROTFL:

 

[Hulyss Bowman]

I'm waiting, I'm waiting. I wait several years before buying a new material, the good material. Maybe I will buy a new Nikon camera in 2017 IF the next Nikon cameras feat my needs. If the next camera land in my home then I will probably take the 105. Meanwhile my 180 f2.8 is as sharp as I want, even too sharp

 

[Swissblad]

Lovely image, Hulyss

I would love to see what magic you could perform with the new 105mm